Horsetail Falls is a waterfall along the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. The waterfall is easily accessed as it is right next to the Historic Columbia River Highway. The shape of the falls and the rounded rock face over which it flows cause it to resemble a horse's tail. There are actually two waterfalls along the creek, the upper falls, called Upper Horsetail Falls or Ponytail Falls, can be accessed from a footpath.

There is a stunning low elevation loop in the Columbia River Gorge with views of three waterfalls and a couple of views of Oneonta Gorge from the trail. The trail begins in one of the most scenic trailheads anywhere, at Horsetail Falls, allow adequate time to view and photograph the falls.

Horsetail Falls Trail begins climbing some easily graded switchbacks with beautiful rock walls. You'll pass your first trail junction here, as heads east. After a half mile switchbacks the trail levels out, and heads west for a while, high above the Gorge below. Horsetail Falls Trail begins climbing some easily graded switchbacks with beautiful rock walls. You'll pass your first trail junction here, as heads east. After a half mile, the switchbacks and the trail level out, turns around and heads west for a while, high above the Gorge below. After a little less than a half mile, the trail suddenly turns into the small valley containing Ponytail Falls and in literally a few steps, you leave the modern freeway noise and enter a different world. The trail passes behind Ponytail Falls in a cavernous area eroded beneath a lava flow. These falls are worth as stop when you are in the area.

Photograph copyright 2013 Jon Burch Photography

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May 20th, 2013

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